[Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.02.17"] [Round "2"] [White "Abdusattorov, Nodirbek"] [Black "Esipenko, Andrey"] [Result "1-0"] [WhiteElo "2734"] [BlackElo "2675"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd2 {This approach to the Nimzo-Indian Defense has been popular for some time at the highest levels. Although it prevents the doubling of White's c-pawns, it's not clear to me that this is the best possible square for the bishop, but super-GMs seem to like it.} b6 6. Bd3 d5 (6... Bb7 7. Nf3 d6 {is another possible way to play, but this is neither here nor there considering our game today.}) 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Nf3 Re8 {The fourth most common move, but it has an illustrious list of practitioners, including Caruana, So, Liem Le, and Vidit.} ({The main line runs:} 8... Bb7 9. O-O Nbd7 10. Rc1 a6 11. Ne5 Nxe5 (11... Bd6 12. f4 {will be very similar to the game.}) 12. dxe5 Nd7 13. f4 Nc5 {and Black is fine in correspondence games.}) 9. Rc1 Bf8 10. O-O Bb7 11. Ne5 c5 12. f4 Nc6 13. Ne2 Ne4 {This move was just introduced in 2021. Since then, there are six games in this position.} (13... Rc8 {Abdusattorov mentioned that his opponent mixed up the move orders and, after the game, said he should have played this.} 14. Be1 Ne4 15. Bxe4 dxe4 16. Nxf7 Kxf7 17. Qb3+ c4 {(Abdusattorov ended the line here and said it is equal.}) 14. Ng3 ({Abdusattorov considered but rejected:} 14. Bxe4 dxe4 15. Nxf7 Qd5) 14... Nxd2 $4 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;Blunder; persistent;true] \"This is a mistake, but it's very difficult to see all the details\" (Abdusattorov). This walks into a Greek Gift sacrifice that should be thrown into the long list of others in history.} (14... Nxe5 15. fxe5 Qd7 $2 {[%c_effect d7;square;d7;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (15... g6 {is better and would hold off Nh5 or Qh5.}) 16. Nh5 $1 {[%c_effect h5;square;h5;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Rac8 17. Bc3 {White was better but later lost in the blitz game Rakhmanov,A (2640)-Yoo,C (2535) Chess.com INT 2022.}) (14... Nxg3 15. hxg3 g6 16. Qg4 Qe7 17. Nxc6 Bxc6 18. f5 Qd7 19. Qf4 Bd6 20. Qh4 Bb5 21. Bxb5 Qxb5 {Black equalized in Rakhmanov,A (2657)-Vokhidov,S (2521) Riga 2021.}) 15. Bxh7+ Kxh7 16. Qh5+ Kg8 17. Qxf7+ Kh8 (17... Kh7 18. Qg6+ Kg8 19. Nf5 {[%c_arrow f5h6;keyPressed;none;from;f5;opacity;0.8;to;h6;persistent;false, e5f7;keyPressed;none;from;e5;opacity;0.8;to;f7;persistent;false]}) 18. Ng6+ Kh7 {This is hardly a sacrifice as White has gained two pawns and has a perpetual attack against the black king. It also just works concretely, which makes things easier for the first player.} 19. Nh5 {[%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none; opacity;0.8;square;g7;persistent;false] White threatens Nxf8 and Qxg7#.} Re6 20. f5 $2 {[%c_effect f5;square;f5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] A very true blemish on what would otherwise be a perfect game. Black has a chance and...} ( 20. Nxf8+ $2 {[%c_effect f8;square;f8;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qxf8 { Now defends the mate.}) (20. Qxe6 {The obvious move happens to be the best. From plenty of personal experience, I can tell readers this is an embarrassing moment for all players.} Nxf1 21. Rxf1 {My only guess is that the Uzbek GM missed the following, but I have no idea. This line was not mentioned in the interview.} cxd4 (21... Qe8 {This idea is more useful on the next move. Here,} 22. Nxf8+ Qxf8 23. Rf3 {White wins.}) 22. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type; GreatFind;persistent;true] I doubt he missed this move because he played a similar idea in the game. I can't tell you what ghosts he saw.} (22. exd4 $2 { [%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8; square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 23. Nxf8+ Qxf8 {And Rf3 no longer works due to Nxd4.} 24. Rf3 Nxd4) (22. Qf5 {also wins.})) 20... Nxf1 ({ Abdusattorov showed:} 20... Rd6 21. Rf4 Qg5 {\"From afar I saw that I have at least...\"} 22. Nxf8+ Rxf8 23. Qxf8 {\"with a strong attack.\"}) 21. Rxf1 Qg5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake;persistent;true] ... misses it.} ( 21... Qe8 $1 {[%c_effect e8;square;e8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This move crops up again. It's the only move. What can I say $2 It is easy for spectators, armed with Stockfish, to enjoy the strength of this move. There is one really, really tough resource to find in two moves.} 22. Nf6+ (22. Nxf8+ Qxf8 23. fxe6 Qxf7 24. Rxf7 {\"He was worried about this endgame, which is fair, but I think after Ba6 he may still have good practical chance to hold this.\" The engine confirms.} Ba6 {And Black, who has the extra piece, has much better chances than in the game.}) 22... Rxf6 23. Rf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3; square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Without this move, White loses.} Kh6 $3 {[%c_effect h6;square;h6;type;Brilliant;persistent;true] This is the only move. It is much easier to sit at my computer and criticize, and indeed, finding it over the board would be a major feat.} (23... Qxf7 $4 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;Blunder;persistent;true]} 24. Rh3+ Kg8 25. Rh8#) 24. Rh3+ Kg5 {And White, who has sacrificed too much by now, must take a draw by perpetual.} 25. Rg3+ Kh6 26. Rh3+) (21... Rd6 22. Rf3 {[%c_arrow f3h3;keyPressed;none;from; f3;opacity;0.8;to;h3;persistent;false] is similar to the game.}) 22. Qxe6 Qxh5 23. Rf3 {This move is the cruncher, as we have seen in previous lines.} (23. Qf7 {\"Somehow I was worried about\" (Abdusattorov).} Qe2 24. f6 Qxe3+ 25. Kh1 Qh6) 23... cxd4 24. Qf7 $1 {[%c_effect f7;square;f7;type;GreatFind;persistent; true][%c_arrow f7h5;keyPressed;none;from;f7;opacity;0.8;to;h5;persistent;false] [%c_highlight h5;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;h5;persistent;false] Setting up a discovery against the queen, and there's no way to defend her without allowing mate.} ({Of course not} 24. Rh3 $2 {[%c_effect h3;square;h3; type;Mistake;persistent;true]} Qxh3 25. gxh3 dxe3 {Black has many pieces for the queen and two connected passed pawns in the center. This would be completely unnecessary.}) 24... Bd6 (24... Qg4 25. Rh3+ Qxh3 26. gxh3 dxe3 27. Nxf8+ {wins this time.}) 25. Nf8+ Rxf8 26. Qxh5+ Kg8 27. f6 {Although nominally Black has three pieces for the queen, king safety is still a factor here.} Ne5 28. Rf5 g6 29. Qg5 dxe3 30. Rxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type; GreatFind;persistent;true][%c_highlight g7;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square; g7;persistent;false,g6;keyPressed;none;opacity;0.8;square;g6;persistent;false] One of the greatest joys in chess is sacrificing more material when you hardly have any pieces left.} Kf7 (30... Bxe5 31. Qxg6+ Kh8 32. Qg7#) 31. Rxe3 Bc5 32. b4 $1 {[%c_effect b4;square;b4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} Bxe3+ (32... Bxb4 33. Qh6 {The king is done. If he doesn't take on f6, he gets mated on g7. If he does, he opens the f-file.}) 33. Qxe3 Re8 34. Qc3 Bc8 35. a4 Bf5 36. h3 Rd8 37. Qd4 Be6 38. g4 Rc8 39. g5 Rc1+ 40. Kf2 Rc2+ 41. Kg3 {Black resigned. The game can continue in many ways, but the reason he's lost is because his bishop and rook are unanchored. One will drop. For example:} (41. Kg3 Rc7 42. Qe5 Rd7 43. h4 d4 44. h5 gxh5 45. g6+ Kxg6 46. Qxe6) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.02.17"] [Round "2"] [White "Gukesh, D..."] [Black "Praggnanandhaa, R..."] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C54"] [WhiteElo "2718"] [BlackElo "2690"] [Annotator "rafael"] [PlyCount "63"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 {The Italian is a mandatory guest at all elite tournaments. This time we won't have a slow maneuvering game, as usually happens. Complications will set in quickly.} Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d3 d6 6. b4 Bb6 7. a4 {The queenside pawn advance is a classic plan, but it hasn't been played much lately.} a5 8. b5 Ne7 9. O-O Ng6 10. Nbd2 O-O 11. Bb3 c6 12. Nc4 Bc7 13. Bg5 $5 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A rare move, played in some correspondence games. Gukesh clearly had this move ready as he played it all so quickly.} (13. Re1 {is the most played.}) 13... d5 $5 { [%c_effect d5;square;d5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] A very interesting novelty. One of the goals of Bg5 is precisely to make this advance less attractive, but Black is not afraid to go for complications.} (13... h6 { The big question is what Gukesh's idea is against this natural move. Capturing at f6 doesn't seem to offer any advantage. I imagine he would play in his dynamic style with 14.b6.} 14. b6 $5 {[%c_effect b6;square;b6;type;Interesting; persistent;true]} Bxb6 (14... Bb8 {is also possible, despite appearances.} 15. Bxf6 Qxf6 16. Ne3 {with a complicated game.}) (14... hxg5 15. bxc7 Qxc7 16. Nxg5 {A knight on g5 is a constant source of trouble for Black, although nothing serious is happening at the moment.}) 15. Bxf6 gxf6 16. d4 {White has compensation for the pawn because of the damaged pawn structure on the kingside. He went on to win in Goreczny-Luers, email 2015.}) 14. Bxf6 {Played after lengthy reflection. Gukesh probably hadn't analyzed Black's bold previous move.} (14. exd5 {The option was to take immediately, avoiding the idea that will be used in the game.} cxd5 15. Ne3 Be6 {Black is fine as he doesn't have to worry too much with the double pawns after 16.Bxf6.} 16. Bxf6 gxf6) 14... Qxf6 (14... gxf6 15. Ne3 Be6 {This is an improved version for White, as the f5-square is controlled with the pawn on e4. Even so, the position is fully playable for Black.}) 15. exd5 Bg4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square; g4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] An excellent pawn sacrifice.} (15... cxd5 16. Ne3 {This is good for White, as the knight heads to d5.}) 16. Ne3 Bh5 $5 { [%c_effect h5;square;h5;type;Interesting;persistent;true] Another bold move, keeping the pin and further complicating the game.} (16... Bxf3 {is enough for more or less equal play after} 17. Qxf3 Qxf3 18. gxf3 cxb5 $1 {[%c_effect b5; square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 19. axb5 Nf4) 17. dxc6 bxc6 18. bxc6 (18. g4 {This is a move no sane human would ever play, although the computer keeps evaluating this as equal. If I didn't know that, I'd say with confidence that Black is winning after} e4 $1 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]}) 18... e4 {Black has many attacking options in the next few moves. The position is very rich. I will try to summarize some of the most interesting alternatives.} (18... Nh4 19. Bd5 {The d5-square is vital for White, whether for a bishop or a knight.} e4 $5 {[%c_effect e4;square;e4;type; Interesting;persistent;true]} (19... Qf4 {is also very interesting.}) 20. Bxe4 Bxf3 21. Bxf3 Qf4 $1 {[%c_effect f4;square;f4;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the idea.} 22. Re1 (22. g3 Qxf3 (22... Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square; f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} 23. Kh1 Qf6 24. Nd5) 23. d4 {leads to a complex and unbalanced endgame.} (23. gxh4 $2 {[%c_effect h4;square;h4;type; Mistake;persistent;true]} Qh3 {with a winning attack.})) 22... Qxh2+ 23. Kf1 { With an unclear position. Black has compensation for the two sacrificed pawns.} ) 19. dxe4 Nh4 (19... Rad8 {is natural and good. A possible line ends in perpetual check after:} 20. Nd5 Rxd5 $1 {[%c_effect d5;square;d5;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} 21. Bxd5 Ne5 22. Nxe5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5; type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The only way to defend.} Bxd1 23. Nd7 Bxh2+ $1 {[%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} (23... Qd6 24. Rfxd1 Qxh2+ 25. Kf1 {is better for White.}) 24. Kxh2 Qh6+ 25. Kg1 Bf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent;true]} 26. gxf3 Qg5+ 27. Kh1 Qh5+) 20. Nd5 Qh6 (20... Nxf3+ $2 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] loses after} 21. Qxf3 $1 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;GreatFind;persistent; true]}) 21. Re1 (21. Nxc7 Bxf3 {is very dangerous for White.}) 21... Bxh2+ $1 { [%c_effect h2;square;h2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] What a phenomenal game of attack, defense, counterattack, with both chess players showing the best of their abilities. They keep playing the best moves.} (21... Bxf3 $6 {[%c_effect f3;square;f3;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} 22. gxf3 Qg6+ {is tempting, but the king escapes more or less without scars.} 23. Kf1 Qg2+ 24. Ke2 Qxf3+ 25. Kd2) 22. Kf1 Ra7 $6 {[%c_effect a7;square;a7;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] From now on, the balance begins to tip in White's favor.} (22... Kh8 $1 { [%c_effect h8;square;h8;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] is a subtle move, defending against a possible knight check on e7.} 23. Qd3 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Rac8 { I somewhat prefer White, but both players have chances.}) 23. Qd3 Bxf3 24. gxf3 Qxc6 25. f4 {Now the black pieces are displaced on the h-file, and the white pawns are threatening.} Qh6 26. f5 Rb7 27. Rab1 Rfb8 28. Bc2 Qg5 $6 { [%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true]} (28... Rxb1 {is better.} 29. Rxb1 (29. Bxb1 $6 {[%c_effect b1;square;b1;type;Inaccuracy; persistent;true]} Qg5 {with counterplay.}) 29... Rxb1+ 30. Bxb1 Qc1+ 31. Ke2 h5 {Black is still fighting well.}) 29. Rxb7 Rxb7 30. e5 Rb2 $2 {[%c_effect b2; square;b2;type;Mistake;persistent;true]} (30... Qg2+ 31. Ke2 g6 $1 {[%c_effect g6;square;g6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This is the only chance of survival.}) 31. Ne7+ $1 {[%c_effect e7;square;e7;type;GreatFind;persistent; true] A nice final combination for such a wonderful game.} Qxe7 32. f6 { The double attack is fatal.} (32. f6 gxf6 33. Qxh7+ Kf8 34. Qh8#) 1-0 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.02.17"] [Round "2"] [White "Keymer, Vincent"] [Black "Aronian, Levon"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2690"] [BlackElo "2736"] [PlyCount "60"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nc6 4. Nc3 e6 5. Bxc6 $5 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6; type;Interesting;persistent;true] This has never been played by someone higher than 2125 FIDE.} (5. Nf3 {is the most common move, among many other alternatives. But they have nothing to do with the game, which changes in nature dramatically in one move.}) 5... dxc6 6. f4 {This move especially reminds one of the Dzindzi-Indian Defense, except with reversed colors. White gives up the prized bishop on g2, and with this move 6.f4, locks down the ... e5 break. He is playing against the bishop on c8, trying to prove it's a bad piece. The cost is that the white king safety may be compromised in the future, and Black has the bishop pair.} Bd6 7. Nf3 Bc7 8. d3 e5 $1 {[%c_effect e5; square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Aronian equalizes in the most straightforward and convincing manner. A temporary pawn sacrifice allows the light-squared bishop to breathe.} 9. fxe5 Ng4 10. Bf4 Qe7 11. Qd2 O-O (11... Nxe5 {is possible, but there is no rush. the pawn is doomed.}) 12. Rf1 ({ Judging by the game, it seems Keymer wasn't planning to castle kingside. But a possible line can be} 12. O-O Nxe5 13. Qe3 Bh3 {And now some mass trades.} 14. Nxe5 Bxf1 15. Nxc6 Qxe3+ 16. Bxe3 bxc6 17. Kxf1 Bd6 {with an imbalanced but equal position. White has a pawn and better structure as compensation for the exchange.}) (12. h3) (12. Rg1) 12... b6 13. e6 $5 {[%c_effect e6;square;e6; type;Interesting;persistent;true] It's a funny game where if you plug in several moves, the engine still spits out equality. No matter what. This move attempts to keep the game going by avoiding mass trades on e5.} (13. O-O-O Nxe5 14. Qe3 {Other moves are possible, but all roads lead to zero.} (14. Nxe5 Bxe5 15. Bxe5 Qxe5 16. Qf4 {Equal.}) 14... Re8 15. Nxe5 Bxe5 16. Bxe5 Qxe5 17. Qxe5 Rxe5 {fizzles out to equality.}) 13... Bxe6 (13... Bxf4 {would be unnecessary.} 14. exf7+ Qxf7 15. gxf4 Qxf4 16. Qxf4 Rxf4 17. Kd2 {with files opened against the black king. White would have better chances than in the game.}) 14. h3 Nf6 15. Ng5 h6 16. Nxe6 {White wins back the light-squared bishop, which is important. Black could get the upper hand if he is left with the bishop pair. He also creates a static weakness: an isolated pawn on e6.} fxe6 17. Bxc7 Qxc7 18. Qe3 {White still does have the slightly better pawn structure, with the isolated e-pawn and doubled c-pawns. The problem is that it's not enough to prove a concrete advantage.} Nh5 {Black reminds White that his king is still uncastled, his rooks are disconnected, and he has weaknesses of his own like g3.} 19. Rg1 $1 {[%c_effect g1;square;g1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] The best attempt, keeping pieces on the board.} (19. Rxf8+ Rxf8 20. g4 Nf4 21. Kd2 Qd6 22. Rf1 {and it looks like White is building up some pressure, but after} Ng2 23. Rxf8+ Kxf8 {I don't think White has good chances to win.}) 19... Rae8 20. O-O-O Qd6 21. Qe4 {I won't call this a mistake, but it misses the one chance at an edge. From here the evaluation never changes from equal.} ({ There was a chance missed here:} 21. g4 $1 {[%c_effect g4;square;g4;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qf4 (21... Nf4 22. Kb1 Qd4 23. Qg3 Qe5 24. h4 { with chances for a win, but the game continues with} b5 $1 {[%c_effect b5; square;b5;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] With a double-edged game where White has better chances due to the statically weak c-pawns. In a practical game between humans, who knows.}) 22. Kd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type; GreatFind;persistent;true]} Qxe3+ 23. Kxe3 Nf4 24. h4 e5 25. Ne4 {with a clear advantage for White.}) 21... Nf6 22. Qg6 e5 23. g4 Re6 $1 {[%c_effect e6; square;e6;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] Defending against the threat of g5 in a neat way.} (23... e4 24. dxe4 Qf4+ 25. Kc2 Qg5 {is fancier but not necessary.}) 24. Rgf1 (24. g5 $2 {[%c_effect g5;square;g5;type;Mistake; persistent;true]} Nh7 $1 {[%c_effect h7;square;h7;type;GreatFind;persistent; true]} 25. Qe4 Nxg5 {and Black is a pawn better than he was two moves ago.}) 24... e4 25. g5 (25. dxe4 Qe7 26. g5 {The only way forward, but it also ends in equality.} Nh7 27. Rxf8+ Nxf8 28. Qf5 Qxg5+) 25... Nh7 {...Re6 prepared this nice move.} 26. Rxf8+ Nxf8 27. Qf5 exd3 28. Rxd3 Qe7 29. gxh6 Rxh6 30. Rf3 Rf6 {The players called it a day, seeing no chances after the rooks get traded. } 1/2-1/2 [Event "Chess.com"] [Site "Chess.com"] [Date "2023.02.17"] [Round "2"] [White "Giri, Anish"] [Black "So, Wesley"] [Result "1/2-1/2"] [WhiteElo "2780"] [BlackElo "2766"] [PlyCount "57"] [EventDate "2023.??.??"] [TimeControl "5400+30"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 c5 5. Nge2 d5 6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. a3 Nxc3 { Not the most common, but So's play is very convincing in this game.} (7... Ba5 8. dxc5 Nxc3 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 {There's some true venom in in this queenless middlegame. For example, Black already erred on the next move here.} 10. Nxc3 $2 {[%c_effect c3;square;c3;type;Mistake;persistent;true] Missing a strong move.} (10. Bd2 $1 {[%c_effect d2;square;d2;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] This pretty much wins on the spot. The black king is extremely unsafe despite the trade of queens.} Ne4 (10... Nxe2 11. Bxa5+ Ke7 12. Bxe2 {White is up a pawn with a huge lead in development. Winning.}) 11. Bxa5+ Ke7 12. Rd1 $1 { [%c_effect d1;square;d1;type;GreatFind;persistent;true] There are other options too.} (12. Rc1) 12... Nxc5 13. Bc7 {Threatening Bd6+.} Na4 {Black also has options, but here is one line:} 14. Bd6+ Ke8 (14... Kf6 15. Rd4 {with a decisive attack.}) 15. Nd4 $1 {[%c_effect d4;square;d4;type;GreatFind; persistent;true]} (15. b3 {is possible too, but I am showing the most aggressive way for White to play.}) 15... Nxb2 16. Rb1 Na4 17. Bb5+ Bd7 18. Bxa4 Bxa4 19. Rxb7 Nd7 20. O-O {The black king is stranded in the center, decisively.}) 10... Bxc3+ 11. bxc3 Nd7 12. c6 {A similar motif to today's game. } bxc6 13. e4 {with equality, although Black won this in Milov,V (2595) -Rodriguez Cespedes,A (2477) Madrid 2002.}) 8. Nxc3 Ba5 9. dxc5 Bxc3+ 10. bxc3 Qxd1+ ({It's possible to keep queens on the board too.} 10... Qa5 11. Be2 O-O 12. O-O Qxc5 13. c4 Qc7 14. Bb2 Nd7 15. Qd4 f6 16. Rfd1 Nc5 17. Qd6 Qxd6 18. Rxd6 b6 19. Bf3 Bb7 {Black was fine in Shengelia,D (2522)-Stohl,I (2503) Austria 2018.}) 11. Kxd1 Nd7 12. c6 {This \"simple-looking\" endgame does have its subtleties.} Ne5 $1 {[%c_effect e5;square;e5;type;GreatFind;persistent; true]} (12... bxc6 $6 {[%c_effect c6;square;c6;type;Inaccuracy;persistent;true] leaves Black with some coordination issues.} 13. Kc2 Bb7 14. e4 c5 15. f3 { and it's not clear what the knight is doing or where it's going. White has the bishop pair with a small pull.}) 13. a4 $146 (13. c7 Kd7 14. e4 Kxc7 15. Bf4 f6 16. h4 Bd7 17. Rh3 Bc6 18. Rg3 Rhg8 19. f3 Kd6 20. Rb1 Rac8 21. Kc2 Ke7 22. Bb5 b6 23. a4 Nd7 24. Be3 Kf7 25. a5 Bxb5 26. Rxb5 Rc6 {Black equalized in Aleksandrov,A (2612)-Vaibhav,S (2448) Chennai 2012.}) 13... Nxc6 14. a5 e5 { So did not even use a lot of time by this point; thus, the novelty did not seem to have any desired effect.} 15. e4 Be6 16. Be3 O-O 17. Kc2 Rac8 18. Kb2 Rfd8 19. Be2 f6 20. Rhd1 Rxd1 21. Bxd1 Kf7 22. Be2 Ke7 23. h4 a6 24. Bc5+ Ke8 25. g3 Nd8 26. Bb4 Nc6 27. Bc5 Nd8 28. Bb4 (28. Bd6 Nc6 {The a-pawn must constantly be defended. Black, on the other hand, has no such weakness.}) 28... Nc6 29. Bc5 1/2-1/2